Extension cord carrier

ABSTRACT

A carrier for a plurality of electric extension cords includes a columnar body with a handle portion proximate one end of the carrier and a base portion proximate the opposite end of the carrier. The carrier has a pair of laterally projecting lobes defining a first storing region and a second storing region. Two or more cords may be simultaneously stored by wrapping on each of the storage regions. Moreover, the handle portion and the base portion enable a user to balance the device against, for example, the user&#39;s leg with one arm, which leaves the user&#39;s other arm free to wrap an elongated object around one of the storing regions.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices and methods for carryingelongated objects, and more specifically to carriers for electricextension cords.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Elongated objects such as cord, rope, wire, string and the like can beemployed in variety of private and commercial uses. For example,electrical extension cords are typically used both in private andcommercial settings to facilitate the use of electrical tools anddevices at desired locations.

A problem with the use and storage of extension cords is that they areeasily tangled or knotted unless carefully managed. Typically, cords aregathered by hand into a small, circular, semi-circular or ellipticalcoil for carrying and storage. Such coils, however, tend to unravelunevenly in use and sometimes simply fall apart during use or transportof the cord, leading to tangles and knots. In addition, the coils mustbe hung up or secured with ties during storage to avoid tangling.

Another common method of storing cords is to wrap the cord around anobject or cord-wrapping device. Various prior devices for storing cordsor other elongated objects are described in U.S. Application2004/0007640, entitled “Units For Storing Flexible Elongated Objects,”U.S. Pat. No. 4,261,529, entitled “Device For Winding And Storage OfRopes And The Like,” U.S. Pat. No. 3,612,426, entitled Extension CordCaddy,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,577,809, entitled “Gathering And Storing DeviceFor Electric Cable,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,779,815, entitled “Support ForCoiled Articles,” U.S. Pat. No. 3,901,458, entitled “Rope Caddy,” andU.S. Pat. No. 4,277,035, entitled “Flexible Member Caddy,” all of whichare all hereby incorporated by reference herein.

All of these prior cord-wrapping devices, however, suffer from thecommon drawback of being unwieldy and difficult to manage in use,particularly when used with heavy gauge or lengthy extension cords. Forexample, the device of U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,777 is held on one arm of theuser while the cord is wound on the device using the other hand. If sucha device is used with lengthy or heavy gauge cord, however, the armholding the device may be heavily loaded and subjected to a twistingmovement, possibly causing strain. Other devices, such as thosedisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,778,125 and 4,177,961 have a laterallyextending handle for gripping with one hand while the cord is wound withthe other hand. As the cord is wound, however, these devices may place aheavy, twisting, load on the wrist of the hand holding the handle, againcausing strain. Devices such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,193,563rest on the ground and thereby avoid problems with wrist and armloading, but may still be awkward to use due to the lateral windingdirection of the cord and proximity to the ground of the lower windingarea. Still other devices, such as disclosed in U.S. PublishedApplication No. 2004/0007640, have no handle at all, making the devicedifficult to manage in use. All these devices may be generally difficultto grip, lift, and carry when fully wound with heavy cord.

Moreover, prior cord devices typically do not provide capability forstoring more than one cord with the device. Another drawback of someprior cord-wrapping devices is that they enable unwinding of only oneend of the extension cord at a time, since one end of the cord istrapped under the wrapped coils of cord. It is often desirable, however,to have either or both ends of the cord simultaneously available forunwinding, depending on whether one requires free cord at the male orfemale end of the cord.

Moreover, prior cord-wrapping devices often either do not provide meansfor easily securing the cord to inhibit undesired unwrapping or providesecuring structures only at locations proximate the ends. If the cord iswound so that the end of the cord does not coincide with a securingstructure, or if the cord is partially unwound, the cord can furtherunwrap leading to tangles and knots.

A further drawback of prior devices is that a separate structuregenerally must be employed to prop or hang the device for use orstorage. If not propped or hung, the device may rest on the cord itself,inhibiting unwinding of the cord when desired in use. Also, the devicemay clutter the floor of a storage area when not is use.

What is needed in the industry is a cord carrier that addresses thelimitations of prior cord-wrapping devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the need of the industry for an improvedcord carrier. In embodiments of the cord carrier of the invention,multiple extension cords are conveniently stored and used with the samecarrier. The carrier may enable rapid and easy winding of the cords froma standing position while not imposing undue strain on the wrists andarms of a user. The carrier may be self-supporting on any horizontalsurface or may be hung. Further, the carrier includes multiple securingstructures to enable the cords to be secured proximate the male andfemale ends and at virtually any point along the length of the cord.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the carrier may include agenerally columnar body portion with a handle proximate one end of thecarrier and a base portion proximate the opposite end of the carrier.The body portion has a first storing region and a second storing regionwhich may be configured as a pair of laterally extending lobes or wingson opposing sides of the carrier. The carrier may facilitate storing twoor more cords simultaneously in the first and second storing regions.Moreover, the handle portion and the base portion allow a user to bracethe device against, for example, the user's leg or hip with one arm,which leaves the user's other arm free to wrap an elongated objectaround one of the storing regions. In this way, the handle and baseportions of the present invention permit an individual to comfortablywrap an elongated object onto the carrier in a standing position withoutcausing undue strain on the wrists, arm, or back. In addition, the baseportion allows the storing device to freely stand in an upright positionon generally horizontal surfaces such as a table or floor, which canfacilitate storage and/or transport of the carrier. In some embodiments,each of the first and second storage regions may accommodate a separatecord up to about 100 feet in length and 12-gauge in diameter, or 200feet of a single 12 gauge cord wrapped on both storage regions.

The storing devices of the present invention generally include one ormore securing structures, which facilitate securing the free ends ofelongated objects stored on the storing devices. Securing the free endsof an extension cord may help keep the cord tightly wrapped on thestoring device and can prevent the cord from becoming unwrapped and/ortangled. Additionally, securing the free ends of the cord can make iteasier to unwind and/or use the cord. If the free ends are secured atdesired locations on the carrier, subsequent use of the elongated objectcan be easier, since the user will not have to invest significantamounts of time locating one of the free ends. The securing structurescan be positioned on the handle portion, the base portion, the storageregions, or combinations thereof.

In one aspect, the invention pertains to a carrier for elongated objectsincluding extension cords. The carrier has a handle portion, which maybe generally t-shaped, proximate one end of the carrier and a baseportion proximate the opposite end of the carrier. The carrier canfurther include a first storage region positioned between the handleportion and the base portion, wherein the first storage region isfurther defined by a first recess portion proximate the handle portionand a second recess portion proximate the base portion. In theseembodiments, the carrier can further include a second storage regionadjacent the first storage region, wherein the second storage region isdefined by a plurality of openings positioned along the periphery of thesecond storage region, and wherein the second storage region is furtherdefined by a first recess portion proximate the handle portion and asecond recess portion proximate the base portion. The carrier canfurther include at least one receptacle having a series of openingsadapted to receive and secure the prongs of the male end of anelectrical cord.

In a second aspect, the invention pertains to a carrier for storingelongated objects having a handle portion proximate one end of thecarrier and a base portion proximate the opposite end of the carrier. Inthese embodiments, the carrier can further include a storage regionpositioned between the handle portion and the base portion, wherein thestorage region is defined by a plurality of openings positioned along aperipheral portion of the storage region, and wherein portions of thestorage region proximate the plurality of openings are angled tofacilitate securing the free end of an elongated object in the pluralityof openings.

In a third aspect, the invention pertains to a method of storing anelectrical extension cord, the method including the step of winding anelectrical extension cord around a storage region of a carrier. In theseembodiments, the carrier includes a handle portion proximate one end ofthe carrier and a base portion proximate the opposite end of thecarrier. The carrier may further include a first storage regionpositioned between the handle portion and the base portion, wherein thefirst storage region is defined by a first recess portion proximate thehandle portion and a second recess portion proximate the base portion.In some embodiments, the carrier can further include a second storageregion adjacent the first storage region, wherein the second storageregion is positioned between the handle portion and the base portion,and wherein the second storage region is defined by a first recessportion proximate the handle portion and a second recess portionproximate the base portion. The carrier can further include at least oneoutlet having a series of openings adapted to receive and secure theprongs of the male end of an electrical cord.

In another aspect, a carrier for at least one electrical extension cordincludes an elongated body portion presenting a pair of opposing endsand having a handle portion proximate one of the opposing ends and abase portion proximate the other of the opposing ends. A pair of lobesproject on opposing sides of the elongated body portion, each lobedefining a storage region for winding at least a portion of theelectrical extension cord thereon. The carrier further includes at leastone cord securing structure defined in the elongated body portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a carrier of thepresent invention;

FIG. 1 a is a front elevation view of a carrier according to the presentinvention with two extension cords stored thereon;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the carrier of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the carrier of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 a front elevation view of the columnar body portion of thecarrier of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 a is an elevation view of the cross-member portion of the base ofthe carrier of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the carrier of FIG. 1depicting the angled portions of a storage region adjacent to an openingalong the periphery of the storage region;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a carrier according to an embodiment ofthe invention depicted in a first step of operation with the molded plugof an electrical extension cord engaged in a securing structure;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the carrier of FIG. 6 depicted in asecond step of operation with a portion of the extension cord bodywrapped on one of the storage regions of the carrier;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the carrier of FIG. 6 depicted in athird step of operation with the extension cord body intermediate theends engaged in one of the peripheral securing structures of thecarrier;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the carrier of FIG. 6 depicted inoperation with the extension cord body fully wrapped on one of thestorage regions of the carrier and the extension cord body proximate theend engaged in another of the peripheral securing structures of thecarrier;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view of a peripheral securing structure of acarrier according to an embodiment of the invention depicting anextension cord body passing through the channel portion of the securingstructure;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view of the peripheral securing structure ofFIG. 10 with the extension cord body fully engaged in the structure;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a carrier according to an embodiment ofthe invention with an extension cord wrapped thereon and with the bodyof the extension cord engaged in adjacent peripheral securingstructures;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a carrier according to an embodiment ofthe invention with an extension cord wrapped thereon and with the bodyof the extension cord engaged in two different securing structures; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a carrier according to the presentinvention with the molded male plugs of two extension cords positionedfor insertion in securing structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, an embodiment of a carrier 100 is depicted forstoring elongated objects such as, for example, cords, ropes, strings,wires and the like, particularly electric extension cords. As depictedin FIGS. 1-4, carrier 100 generally includes an elongate columnar body102 having handle portion 104 proximate one end and base portion 106proximate the opposite end.

Columnar body 102 generally includes two or more laterally projectinglobes 103 a, 103 b, defining storage regions 108, 110, respectively.Storage regions 108, 110, each receive one or more electric extensioncords wrapped around neck portions 105 a, 105 b. Cutout regions 136,138, are defined between tips 112 a, 112 b, of lobes 103 a, 103 b, andedges 113 a, 113 b, of columnar body portion 102. Although FIGS. 1-4depict an embodiment having two storage regions 108, 110, embodimentshaving 3-8 storage regions are contemplated, for example by addingadditional radially projecting lobes, and are within the scope of thepresent disclosure.

Neck portions 105 a, 105 b, within first and second storage regions 108,110, present a length dimension 109, 111, that runs along thelongitudinal axis of body 102. In some embodiments, length dimension 109may be substantially equal to length dimension 111, while in otherembodiments these dimensions may be different from each other. One ofordinary skill in the art will recognize that the dimensions of lobes103 a, 103 b, necks 105 a, 105 b, and cut away portions 136, 138 may beselected to optimally accommodate various lengths and gauges ofextension cords. For example, carriers designed to be used with longerand/or heavier gauge cords may have relatively shorter neck portions 105a, 105 b, in order to maximize the area of cutout region 136, 138, andthus the carrying capacity of the carrier. In an embodiment, thedimensions of these portions may be selected to accommodate up to about100 feet of 12-gauge electrical extension cord.

As described above, carrier 100 generally includes a handle portion 104proximate one end of the device, which facilitates holding and/orpositioning carrier 100 during use. In general, handle portion 104 canhave any appropriate shape that facilitates gripping with the hand. Asdepicted in FIG. 1-4, handle portion 104 may be T-shaped and have avertical portion 120 connected to a horizontal portion 122. In otherembodiments, vertical portion 120 can be connected to a circular orelliptically shaped knob to form handle portion 104.

Base portion 106 is positioned opposite handle portion 104 forstabilizing carrier 100 and facilitating winding of a cord onto carrier100 in a standing position or with the carrier braced on the hip of auser. Additionally, base portion 106 may be configured to engage theground to enable carrier 100 to freely stand in an upright position whennot in use, to facilitate storage and/or transport of carrier 100. In anembodiment, base portion 106 includes a stabilization portion 130connected with lower portion 128 of columnar body 102. As depicted inFIGS. 1-4, stabilization portion 130 may be an X-shaped structure havinga first cross-member 132 that intersects a second cross-member 134,thereby defining four laterally projecting legs 135 for providingdesired stability during use of carrier 100. Most preferably, firstcross-member 132 intersects second cross-member 134 at an included anglefrom about 45 to about 90 degrees. It will be appreciated that in otherembodiments, additional cross-members may be provided if desired foradditional stability.

In an embodiment, first cross-member 132 of X-shaped stabilizationportion 130 is integrally formed with columnar body 102 by, for example,injection or blow molding or the like, while second cross-member 134 isseparately formed and mechanically attached to first cross-member 132 inthe desired position. First cross member 132 may be provided with notch135 in lower edge 135 a, and second cross member may be provided withcorresponding notch 137 in upper edge 137 a. Notch 137 of second crossmember 134 is frictionally engaged in notch 135 of first cross member132 to form stabilization portion 130. First cross member 132 and secondcross member 134 may optionally be secured together with fasteners suchas screws, pins or adhesives or may be welded together. Alternatively,stabilization portion 130 may be integrally molded with columnar body102 in a single piece.

Lower edge 135 a of first cross member 132 may be provided with radiusedregion 139 and lower edge 141 of second cross member 134 may be providedwith radiused region 141 a. The shape and dimension of radiused regions139 and 141 a may be selected to as to generally conform with the hipand upper leg of a user. Flats 143 may be provided proximate the tip ofeach laterally projecting leg 135 for engaging a generally flat surfacesuch as a floor. The overall length L of carrier 100 may be selected soas to comfortably accommodate a user in gripping handle 104 with onehand while bracing stabilization portion 130 against the hip or upperleg of the user on the same side. In this regard, overall length L ispreferably in a range of between about 16 inches to about 36 inches,more preferably in a range of between about 20 inches to about 30 inchesand most preferably about 26 inches. It is also contemplated thatcarrier 100 may be equipped with any other configuration of base portion106 enabling support of carrier 100 on a generally flat surface.

One or more elongate apertures 112 may be defined in columnar body 102between first storage region 108 and second storage region 110. Elongateapertures 112 generally include an enlarged portion 113 and a narrowerportion 114. Enlarged portion 113 is sufficiently large to receive themale or female plug end of an electric extension cord therethrough,while narrower portion 114 is sized so as to frictionally engage thecord body. In operation, the plug end of the extension cord is insertedthrough enlarged portion 113. When it is desired to secure the cord witha certain length free for connecting with an electrical power source orelectrical appliance, the cord body is pulled into and lodged innarrower portion 114 to frictionally secure it against furtherunwinding. In addition to the depicted keyhole shape, it will beappreciated that apertures 112 may have any other appropriate shape suchas, for example, a teardrop, elliptical, or irregular shape. Further, insome embodiments, apertures 112 can have substantially the same size andshape, while in other embodiments apertures 112 may have different sizesand/or shapes.

In some embodiments, vertical portion 120 and/or horizontal portion 122of handle 104 or elongate body portion 102 may include securingstructures that facilitate securing the free end of an elongated object,for example one or more electrical receptacles 124 of standard designfor receiving the prongs of the male end of the extension cord. Inoperation, the male ends of the cords may be plugged into receptacles124, thereby preventing the male end of the cord from being tangled upand/or “lost” during storage of the cord.

Additionally or alternatively, handle 104 can include opening 126 forreceiving a hanger (not depicted) to hang carrier 100 from a wall orother structure, or the finger of a user holding handle 104. Further,opening 126 may be adapted to receive the molded end of an electricalcord, which facilitates securing one end of the electrical cord duringstorage. Opening 126 can have any appropriate shape such as, forexample, an elliptical shape, a circular shape, a rectangular shape andthe like. Alternatively, opening 126 may be shaped so as to conform withthe cross section of a molded electrical plug. In such embodiments, oneof ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the size and shape ofopening 126 will be guided by the size and cross-sectional shape of themolded plug end that opening 126 is intended to engage.

The carrier of the present invention may also include other cordsecuring structures in the form of a plurality of notches 116 defined inthe periphery 117 of each lobe 105 a, 105 b, for securing a free end ofa cord that has been wound onto first storage region 108 or secondstorage region 110. Notches 116 may have any appropriate shape such as,for example, elliptical, circular, rectangular and combinations thereof.In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-4, notches 116 have anelliptical-shaped portion oriented along the length of the storageregions 108, 110, and a channel 118 through to periphery 117 of thelobe. Preferably, notches 116 are spaced apart along the periphery 117of each lobe so as to enable a variety of cord securing locations.

Referring to FIG. 5, inwardly facing surfaces 140 in channel 118 may beanticlinally angled so as to define a narrow portion 231 of the channel140. The width dimension W of narrow portion 231 may be selected so asto snugly admit a predetermined maximum cord body diameter therebyinhibiting undesired disengagement of the cord body from the notch 116.Surfaces 140 are sloped away on either side of narrow portion 231 toenable the cord to be pulled through channel 118 at least at a slightangle as depicted in FIGS. 10 and 11, thereby enabling quick and easyengagement of the cord from notch 116 when desired. In embodiments ofthe invention, angle φ of surfaces 140 is preferably in a range of fromabout 15 degrees to about 50 degrees.

The carrier of the present invention is preferably blow or injectionmolded from suitable polymer material such as for example, polyethylene(PE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), ultra high molecular weightpolyethylene (UHMWPE), polypropylene (PP), poly(vinylchloride) (PVC),polycarbonates, poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE), polyurethanes, andblends and copolymers thereof. It will be appreciated, however, that thecarrier may also be formed from any other material of suitable rigidity,weight, and strength, such as for example, metals, metal alloys, woodand combinations thereof.

In a first mode of operation, a user grips handle portion 104 with thepalm and fingers of one hand while bracing base portion 106 against theuser's leg or hip on the same side as the hand used to grip handleportion 104. The plug end of an electrical cord can then be insertedthrough one of openings 112. The body of the cord may then be pulledinto narrowed portion 114 of the opening 112 to frictionally secure itin place. The electrical cord can then be wound onto one of the storageregions 108, 110, around the respective neck portion 105 a, 105 b. Whenthe desired length of cord body has been wound, the cord body can bepulled through channel 118 of one of notches 116 to secure that end ofthe cord against unwinding. Once a first cord has been wound ontocarrier 100, a second electrical cord, or other elongated object, can bewound onto the other storage region 108, 110, by repeating the processdescribed above. Alternatively, the receptacle 124 or opening 126 may beused to secure either or both ends of the cord.

In an alternative mode of operation, a user grips handle portion 104with the palm and fingers of one hand while resting base portion 106 onthe ground, floor, table or other generally horizontal surface. With thecarrier in this position, one or more cords may then wound onto carrier100 as described above.

When desired, the extension cord may be disengaged from the securingstructure holding it, which may include any of apertures 112, notches116, receptacles 124 or aperture 126, and the desired length of thedisengaged cord may then be unwound from the carrier 100. Once thedesired length of cord has been unwound, the cord can then be re-securedin the most proximate free securing structure on carrier 110.

FIGS. 6-9 generally depict an embodiment of carrier 100 of the presentinvention at various stages of operation. With molded female end 300 ofextension cord 302 engaged in aperture 112 as depicted in FIG. 6, cord302 may be wound onto either of lobes 103 a, 103 b, as depicted in FIG.7. Once a desired length of cord proximate male end 308 is reached, cordbody 306 may be engaged in any of notches 116 as depicted in FIG. 8 tosecure the cord in place, preventing unwinding. Alternatively, theremainder of cord 302 may be wound on carrier 100 and cord body 306secured proximate male end 308 in any one of the securing structures ofthe carrier. FIGS. 12 and 13 depict the cord secured in variousalternate combinations of securing structures.

The embodiments above are intended to be illustrative and not limiting.Additional embodiments are within the claims. Although the presentinvention has been described with reference to particular embodiments,workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made inform and detail without the departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

1. A carrier for an electric extension cord comprising: a handle portionproximate one end of the carrier; a base portion proximate the oppositeend of the carrier; a first storage region positioned between the handleportion and the base portion, wherein the first storage region isdefined by a first recess portion proximate the handle portion and asecond recess portion proximate the base portion; and a second storageregion adjacent the first storage region, wherein the second storageregion is positioned between the handle portion and the base portion,wherein the second storage region is further defined by a first recessportion proximate the handle portion and a second recess portionproximate the base portion; wherein the carrier comprises at least onesecuring structure having a series of openings adapted to receive andsecure the prongs of a male end of an electrical cord.
 2. The carrier ofclaim 1 further comprising at least one opening positioned between thefirst storage region and the second storage region, the at least oneopening being sized to receive the plug end of an electrical cord. 3.The carrier of claim 2, wherein the at least one opening furthercomprises a narrowed portion for frictionally engaging a cable body ofthe electrical cord.
 4. The carrier of claim 1 wherein the handleportion is T-shaped.
 5. The carrier of claim 1 wherein the base portionis X-shaped and comprises a first portion operably coupled to a secondportion oriented generally transverse to the first portion.
 6. Thecarrier of claim 5 wherein the carrier has a columnar body including atleast one receptacle having a series of openings adapted to receive andsecure the prongs of a male end of an electrical cord.
 7. The carrier ofclaim 1 wherein the first and second recess portions of the firststorage region are adapted to secure up to about 100 feet of 12-gaugeelectrical cord.
 8. The carrier of claim 1 wherein the carrier has aplurality of notches positioned along the periphery of at least one ofthe first and second storage regions, each notch comprising an innerportion and a channel.
 9. The carrier of claim 8 wherein the channel ofeach notch is defined by a pair of opposing anticlinally shapedsurfaces.
 10. The carrier of claim 1 wherein the carrier is formed frommetal, a metal alloy, a polymer, wood, or combinations thereof.
 11. Thecarrier of claim 1, wherein the carrier is formed from a polymerselected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), high densitypolyethylene (HDPE), ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE),polypropylene (PP), poly(vinylchloride) (PVC), polycarbonates,poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE), polyurethanes, and blends andcopolymers thereof.
 12. A carrier for at least one electrical extensioncord, the cord having an elongate cable body portion with at least oneplug end, the carrier comprising: an elongated body portion presenting apair of opposing ends and having a handle portion proximate one of theopposing ends and a base portion proximate the other of the opposingends; a pair of projecting lobes on opposing sides of the elongated bodyportion, each lobe defining a storage region for winding at least aportion of the at least one electrical extension cord thereon; and atleast one cord securing structure defined in the elongated body portion.13. The carrier of claim 12, wherein the at least one cord securingstructure is an opening defined in the elongated body portion betweenthe pair of projecting lobes, the opening including a portion forreceiving the plug end of the electrical extension cord therethrough anda narrowed portion for frictionally engaging a cable body portion of theextension cord.
 14. The carrier of claim 12, wherein the carrierincludes a plurality of cord securing structures positioned along theperiphery of at least one of the first and second storage regions, eachnotch comprising an inner portion and a channel.
 15. The carrier ofclaim 14, wherein the channel of each notch is defined by a pair ofopposing anticlinally shaped surfaces.
 16. The carrier of claim 12,wherein the base portion has a radiused lower edge portion forconforming to the hip or upper leg of a user.
 17. A method of storing anelectrical extension cord, the cord comprising an elongate cable bodyhaving a pair of opposing ends with a plug at each end, the methodcomprising steps of: providing a carrier comprising a generally columnarbody portion presenting opposing upper and lower ends and having a pairof laterally projecting lobes, each lobe defining a storage region forreceiving the electrical extension cord wound therein, the carrierfurther comprising a grippable handle proximate the upper end, a groundengaging base proximate the lower end, and a plurality of cord securingstructures; engaging the base with the ground; winding the electricalextension cord on the storage region of at least one of the lobes;securing the cable body of the cord proximate each end in a separate oneof the cord securing structures.
 18. An electric extension cord andcarrier system comprising: a pair of electric extension cords, eachextension cord including an elongate cable portion with a pair ofopposing ends and a plug portion at each of the opposing ends; and acarrier comprising: an elongate body portion having a pair of opposingends with a handle portion proximate one of the ends and a base portionproximate the opposite end; a pair of lobes extending laterally onopposite sides of the body portion, each lobe defining a wrapping regionfor receiving at least one of the extension cords thereon and presentingan outer edge with a plurality of cord engaging notches defined therein;the body portion further having a generally columnar portion disposedbetween the lobes, the columnar body portion including means forreceiving and securing at least one of the opposing ends of each of thepair of cords.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the means forreceiving and securing at least one of the opposing ends of each cordincludes a plurality of elongate apertures, each aperture having anenlarged portion adapted to receive the plug portion of the extensioncord therethrough and at least one narrowed portion for frictionallyengaging the cable portion of the extension cord.
 20. The system ofclaim 18, wherein the means for receiving and securing at least one ofthe opposing ends of each cord comprises at least one securing structurehaving a series of openings adapted to receive and secure the prongs ofa male end of an electrical cord.